Samuel “Sudden Sam" J. Riccardo, Sr.

Samuel “Sudden Sam" J. Riccardo, Sr. of West Chester.

Samuel “Sudden Sam" J. Riccardo, Sr., 85 of West Chester, died Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Pocopson Home in West Chester.

He was the husband of Josephine Calista Riccardo.

Born June 16, 1929 in West Chester, he was the son of the late Bronzo Riccardo and the late Rosina Porco Riccardo.

Sam played quarterback for West Chester High School and then began playing in the old Community Softball League in 1944.

He served in the US Army during the Korea conflict.  It was there he played softball and learned how to throw a wicked riser. Sam had mastered the “drop”and the “riser” and became known as the “strikeout”pitcher. 

Due to the power and speed of his fast ball pitch which was clocked at over 100 MPH, he became a known legend and received the name “Sudden Sam”.  

Throughout his career, he had many no-hitters and several “perfect games" holding the record for most strikeouts in a seven-inning game (19), and also the most in an extra-inning game (24). In 1971, Sam decided to start his own team in the Adult Softball League and continued playing into his eight decade.

In 2013, “Sudden Sam” was inducted into the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame as the greatest softball pitcher in the former West Chester Adult Softball League.

Sam owned and operated Sam's Pizza Island in West Chester, where he originated the pan pizza.

A true craftsman, who could fix or build just about anything.  He enjoyed painting and working with his hands.

Sam was loved by many and will be greatly missed; "and don’t you forget it.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Samuel J. Riccardo, Jr. and his wife Mary,

Rosanna Egnor and her husband John, and Michael V. Riccardo; brother, John N. Riccardo Sr. and his wife Nancy; grandchildren, John Egnor, Holly Egnor Stambaugh and her husband Christian, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Rosella DeMeo, Francis "Chee" Riccardo, infant Samuel Riccardo, Anna Viscichini, Bronzo Joseph Riccardo, and Anthony V. Riccardo. 

Relatives and Friends are invited to his Funeral Mass, 10:00 am Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at St. Agnes Church, 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380.

Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in West Chester.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 30, West Chester, PA 19381.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com.

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